Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - Apr 28, 2026
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CNPS-SCV News
Apr 28, 2026, 3:23:35 PM (4 days ago) Apr 28
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Dear Friends,
What an amazing Wildflower Show and such an impressive variety of flowers! Thank you to all the collectors, identifiers, runners, greeters and organizers! Here are the chapter's upcoming activities.
[1] Upcoming Events
(a) Aging with Grace: The Life of the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine
Thursday, Apr 30, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Los Altos Library, 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
The Great Basin bristlecone pine is considered the longest-living organism on earth, with a confirmed living tree that is older than 5,000 years. Above 10,000 ft elevation and east of the Sierra Nevada range, nutrient-poor alkaline soil is the only place where bristlecone pines can establish themselves with no other serious competitors. Tim Aston's talk will cover some of the scientific discoveries the bristlecone pine has been part of, how its environment shapes it, and share images that demonstrate the facets of their life and growth that make them one of California’s most iconic native species. His book, Branches in Time: A Photographic Study of the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine, will be available for sale after the talk.
[2] Chapter Meeting
(a) Native Plant ID - Spring Wildflowers - TONIGHT
Tuesday, April 28, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM PST
Location: Peninsula Conservation Center, 3921 E Bayshore Rd · Palo Alto
In March and April we expect an abundance of spring wildflowers to look at. If you have permission to collect, bring in samples of flowers that you would like to identify.With or without samples, join us as we look at plants and photos while we practice methods of identifying the native flowers of our region. We will use a variety of plant books and online resources as we endeavor to improve our understanding of botanical terms used in plant identification.The group meets at 7:00pm on the fourth Tuesday of each month
[3] Chapter Restoration Activities
Please RSVP for all Chapter restoration activities. See the individual listings for details.
(a) Habitat Restoration at Alum Rock Park
Wednesday, Apr 29 and Monday, May 4, both at 8:30 am
Location: Alum Rock Park, San Jose (meeting spot varies; email contact provided on page)
Come help us weed non-native, invasive plants at this natural gem of San Jose. Our habitat restoration efforts allow the native plants to “come to light.” Forms and reservations are required to volunteer. For the Monday/Wednesday workdays, the meeting spot varies, so please contact Todd Hayes at ultra...@gmail.com for more information and instructions on where to park.
(b) Edgewood Restoration
Wednesday, April 29 at 5:30 pm and Friday May 1, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve (Redwood City)
Help restore habitat at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve, known for fabulous wildflowers and amazing diversity. Weeders see far more than weeds: we get to be up close to the native plants, some of which are seen only by weeders. To participate, join the email list and sign the electronic volunteer agreement, by sending an email to weed-warr...@friendsofedgewood.org.
(c) Habitat Restoration at Cataldi Park
Saturday, May 2, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Cataldi Park — 1797 Bethany Ave, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat in Cataldi Park, San Jose. We are planting and maintaining native plants in a 1/2-acre section of the park off Bethany Ave. We have planted more than 200 native plants over the last couple of years. Activities depend on the season. Spring is the time for taking care of the young saplings and controlling weeds.
(d) Habitat Restoration at Cunningham Park
Saturday, May 2, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Location: Native Garden Parking Lot, Lake Cunningham — 2305 S. White Road, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat in the Native Garden at Lake Cunningham Park. We plant, water, weed, and mulch to keep this native garden thriving. See the Meetup link for detailed information about the location.
(e) Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park
Saturday, May 2, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Briarwood Drive & Wawona Drive, San Jose
Kirk Park is glorious now with lots in bloom. Come see the flowers and help keep it looking amazing. Volunteers meet at the garden on Saturdays from 9 am to 11 am, weather permitting, for weeding, watering and other maintenance activitiessuch as mulching and planting. Community volunteers, including families with children over 6, are always welcome!
[4] Other Chapters & Organizations
(a) Hellyer County Park BioBlitz - KCCB
Saturday May 2, 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: Hellyer County Park, San Jose
Get ready to explore the hidden wonders of Hellyer County Park with fellow nature enthusiasts at the BioBlitz event!A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. At a BioBlitz, scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to get an overall count of the plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms that live in a place.Located in the heart of San Jose, the park we will be at is a safe haven for many species of plants and animals right along Coyote Creek. Join Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful and partners in cataloging and documenting all of the wildlife that reside there. We will have experts in various fields to help guide participants through all the cool plants and wildlife.
(b) Oh Snap! Wildlife in Focus - POST
Thursday April 30, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Live online event
Join POST and wildlife photographer Vishal Subramanyan for a live online event that zooms in on wildlife photography, animal behavior, and habitat connectivity. Through stunning visuals and storytelling, this talk will explore how cameras help us better understand the secret lives of local wildlife and why connected landscapes are essential for their survival.From mountain lions navigating the Santa Cruz Mountains to badgers roaming connected rangelands, you’ll discover how roads, habitat fragmentation, and human development can disrupt animal movement, increase vehicle strikes, and isolate wildlife populations. You’ll also learn how POST is helping connect key landscapes, including Coyote Valley, so wildlife can travel more safely and maintain healthy gene flow across the region.
(c) Wildflowers At Their Finest - Midpen
Wednesday, April 29, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Russian Ridge Preserve, Redwood City
Just when spring may be sliding into summer in the flatlands of the valley, head up to the ridge to experience spring at its finest (probably!) in both forest and grassland habitats. Join Docent Naturalists Sabra Abraham, Lindsay Joye, and Catherine Xun for a moderately-paced hike on the Ridge, Ancient Oaks, Alder Spring, and Hawk Ridge trails. (Note: Trails and/or mileage may be adjusted depending on flower abundance.)
(d) Flowers and Fancy - Midpen
Friday, May 1, 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Location: Skyline Ridge - see link for details
The allure of spring flowers; the love of literature; the delight of whimsy. Celebrate May Day by ambling along the Sunny Jim and Ipiwa trails with Docent Naturalists Bobbie Riedel and Katie Wilson in search of wildflowers. On this moderately-paced hike, you'll learn some of their names and discover the literary allusions that celebrate these symbols of spring. Pack a lunch for a stop at Alpine Pond.
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